Tibia Bone Anatomy, Pictures & Definition | Body Maps Your message has been sent. OK We're sorry, an error occurred. We are unable to collect your feedback at this time. However, your feedback is important to us. Please try again later. Close Tibia The tibia is a large bone located in the lower front portion of the leg. The tibia is also known as the shinbone, and is the second largest bone in the body. There are two bones in the shin area: the tibia and fibula, or calf bone. The fibula is smaller and thinner than the tibia. These two bones connect the ankle to the knee and work together to stabilize the ankle and provide support to the muscles of the lower leg; however, the tibia carries a significant portion of the body weight. What are the Leg Bones of the Human Body| Bones of the Leg | Learn Bones What are the Leg Bones of the Human Body| Bones of the Leg What are the Leg Bones of the Human Body| Bones of the Leg Where and What are the Leg Bones in the Human Body The human leg consists of 8 bones, 4 per leg. The leg's main function in the human is for locomotion and support of the rest of the body.

The leg extends from just below the pelvic girdle to the ankle. The entire region below the pelvic girdle, including the feet, is known as the lower extremity. Below are detailed descriptions and diagrams of the leg bones. Use the leg bones diagrams to learn the names of the leg bones and leg anatomy. To learn more about the anatomy of the human body CLICK HERE List of all Leg and Thigh Bones The Femur | Leg Bone The femur, also known as the thigh bone, is the longest bone of the human skeleton located in between the hip bone and the knee. This bone is one of the strongest bones in the human skeleton and functions in supporting the weight of the body and allowing motion of the lower extremity. A femur bone is found in each leg. The femur makes up part of the hip joint and knee joint. Additionally, the femur consists of four parts: the head, greater trochanter, lesser trochanter, and the lower extremity. It is clear that the femur plays a vital role in walking/running and the femur is one of the more common bones that people can identify.

Patella The patella, also known as the knee cap, is a triangular shaped bone found between the femur and fibula. The patella is found on each leg and it's primary function is protection of the knee joint. Furthermore, it also allows for increased knee movement and extension. The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body. A sesamoid bone is a bone that is embedded within a tendon. Additionally, the patella is a relatively thick bone consisting of posterior and anterior sides. Tibia The tibia, also known as the shinbone, is a long bone of the lower leg. The tibia is found between the patella and the ankle. Like the femur, the tibia bears much of the body's weight and also plays an essential role in movement and locomotion. The tibia is found in each leg and thus accounts for two bones in the total human skeletal system. In males, the tibia is relatively vertical whereas in females, the tibia is more slanted to account for wider hips in females. Additionally, the tibia is the second largest bone in the human skeleton, following the femur.

Fibula The fibula, also known as the calfbone, is a long bone of the lower leg running parallel to the tibia. This bone is found in between the patella and the ankle. Although the fibula is thinner than the other leg bones, the fibula still plays a role in supporting the body's weight and allowing movement. The fibula is found on each leg. To learn more detail about the leg bones CLICK HERE and you will find a remarkable resource. Bones of the Leg and Foot | Interactive Anatomy Guide Home > Skeletal System > Bones of the Leg and Foot Bones of the Leg and Foot The bones of the leg and foot form part of the appendicular skeleton that supports the many muscles of the lower limbs. These muscles work together to produce movements such as standing, walking, running, and jumping. At the same time, the bones and joints of the leg and foot must be strong enough to support the body’s weight while remaining flexible enough for movement and balance. The femur, or thigh bone, is the largest, heaviest, and strongest bone in the human body....

Move up/down/left/right: Click compass arrows Rotate image: Click and drag in any direction, anywhere in the frame Identify objects: Click on them in the image Bones: Leg and Foot, Posterior (Back) Full Bones of the Leg and Foot Description [Continued from above] . . . Many strong thigh muscles attach to the femur and pull on the femur during movements of the hip and knee joints. At the proximal end of the femur is a rounded prominence known as the head of the femur. The head of the femur forms the ball and socket hip joint with the acetabulum of the hip bone. The hip joint gives the leg an incredible range of motion while still providing support to the body’s weight. At the distal end of the femur, two rounded condyles meet the tibia and fibula bones of the lower leg to form the knee joint. The knee is a strong but flexible hinge joint that uses muscles and ligaments to withstand the torques and strains of powerful leg movements. Between the femur and tibia is the meniscus, a layer of tough fibrocartilage that acts as a shock absorber.

In the lower leg, the tibia bears most of the body’s weight while the fibula supports the muscles of balance in the lower leg and ankle. The tibia forms the flexible ankle joint with the tarsal bones of the foot. Body weight is distributed among the seven tarsals, which can shift slightly to provide minute adjustments to the position of the ankle and foot. The calcaneus, or heel bone, is the largest tarsal bone and rests on the ground when the body is standing. The tarsal bones and the five long metatarsal bones together form the arches of the foot. Body weight supported by the foot is spread across the arches from the tarsal and metatarsal bones, which make contact with the ground while standing. Like the tarsal bones, the position of the metatarsals can be adjusted to change the shape of the foot and affect balance and posture of the body. Extending from the distal end of the metatarsals are the tiny phalanges of the toes. The phalanges connect to several muscles in the leg via long tendons.

The phalanges can flex or extend to change the shape of the foot for balance, and provide added leverage to the foot during walking. Prepared by Tim Taylor, Anatomy and Physiology Instructor The Tibia - Proximal - Shaft - Distal - TeachMeAnatomy By Anatomography [CC-BY-SA-2.1-jp], via Wikimedia Commons Fig 1 – Overview of the tibia in the human skeleton The tibia is the main bone of the leg, forming what is more commonly known as the shin. It expands at the proximal and distal ends, articulating at the knee and ankle joints respectively. It is the second largest bone in the body, this is due to its function as a weight bearing structure. In this article, we shall look at the bony landmarks of the tibia, the region anatomy, and look at any clinical correlations. Proximal At the proximal end, the tibia is widened by the medial and lateral condyles, aiding in weight bearing. The condyles form a flat surface, known as the tibial plateau. This structure articulates with the femoral condyles to form the major articulation of the knee joint.

Located between the condyles is a region called the intercondylar eminence – this consists of two tubercles and a roughened area. This area is the main site of attachment for the ligaments and the menisci of the knee joint. The tibial intercondylar tubercles fit into the intercondylar fossa of the femur. On the anterior surface of the proximal tibia, inferior to the condyles, the tibial tuberosity is situated. This is where the patella ligament attaches © 2015-2017 TeachMeAnatomy.com [CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0] Fig 2 – The tibial plateau. The tibial condyles articulates with the femoral condyles to form the majority of the knee joint. Shaft The shaft of the tibia has three borders and three surfaces; anterior, posterior and lateral. For brevity, only the anatomically and clinically important borders/surfaces are mentioned here. Anterior border – The start of the anterior border is marked by the tibial tuberosity. It is palpable down the anterior surface of the leg as the shin.

Here, the periosteal covering of the tibia is susceptible to damage, presenting clinically as bruising. Posterior surface – This is marked by a ridge of bone called the soleal line. It runs inferomedially, eventually blending with the medial border of the tibia. It is here where part of the soleus muscle originates Lateral border – Also known as the interosseous border. This gives attachment to the interosseous membrane that binds the tibia and the fibula together. Fig 4 – Posterior surface of the tibia. Distal The distal end of the tibia, like the proximal, widens to help with weight bearing. There is a bony projection continuing inferiorly on the medial side – this is called the medial malleolus. It articulates with the tarsal bones to form part of the ankle joint. On the posterior surface of the tibia, there is a groove where the tibialis posterior muscle attaches. Laterally, on the distal end, there is a notch, where the fibula is bound to the tibia. It is known as the fibular notch.

Clinical Relevance: Fractures of the Tibia Fractures of the tibia are relatively common, and occur most frequently in the middle aged and elderly. If the fibula is not fractured, it supports the tibia, and displacement of the fragments is minimal. The proximal end of the tibia is the site that is most vulnerable to damage, resulting usually from some traumatic accident e.g vehicular. The condyles may be broken up in the fracture and it is not uncommon for there to be injury to the ligaments of the knee. At the ankle, the medial malleolus can be fractured. This is caused by the ankle being twisted inwards (over-inversion) – the talus of the foot is forced against the medial malleolus, causing a spiral fracture. By James Heilman, MD [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Fig 5 – Fracture of the medial malleolus (black arrow) in a child, with the whiting arrow marking a normal growth plate. This is a Salter Harris type III fracture. Shin bone | definition of shin bone by Medical dictionary Shin bone | definition of shin bone by Medical dictionary bone [bōn] 1.

the hard, rigid form of connective tissue constituting most of the skeleton of vertebrates, composed chiefly of calcium salts. 2. any distinct piece of the skeleton of the body. See anatomic Table of Bones in the Appendices for regional and alphabetical listings of bones, and see color plates 1 and 2. Called also os . adj., adj bo´ny. There are 206 separate bones in the human body. Collectively they form the skeletal system , a structure bound together by ligaments at the joints and set in motion by the muscles, which are secured to the bones by means of tendons. Bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons are the tissues of the body responsible for supporting and moving the body. Some bones have a chiefly protective function. An example is the skull, which encloses the brain, the back of the eyeball, and the inner ear. Some, such as the pelvis, are mainly supporting structures. Other bones, such as the jaw and the bones of the fingers, are concerned chiefly with movement. The bone marrow in the center manufactures blood cells.

The bones themselves act as a storehouse of calcium , which must be maintained at a certain level in the blood for the body's normal chemical functioning. Structure and Composition. Bone is not uniform in structure but is composed of several layers of different materials. The outermost layer, the periosteum, is a thin, tough membrane of fibrous tissue. It gives support to the tendons that secure the muscle to the bone and also serves as a protective sheath. This membrane encloses all bones completely except at the joints where there is a layer of cartilage. Beneath the periosteum lie the dense, hard layers of bone tissue called compact bone. Its composition is fibrous rather than solid and it gives bone its resiliency. Encased within these layers is the tissue that makes up most of the volume of bone, called cancellous or spongy bone because it contains little hollows like those of a sponge. The innermost portion of the bone is a hollow cavity containing marrow. Blood vessels course through every layer of bone, carrying nutritive elements, oxygen, and other products. Bone tissue also contains a large number of nerves. The basic chemical in bone, which gives bone its hardness and strength, is calcium phosphate. Development.

Cartilage forms the major part of bone in the very young; this accounts for the great flexibility and resiliency of the infant skeleton. Gradually, calcium phosphate collects in the cartilage, and it becomes harder and more brittle. Some of the cartilage cells break loose, so that channels develop in the bone shaft. Blood vessels enter the channels, bearing with them small cells of connective tissue, some of which become osteoblasts, cells that form true bone. The osteoblasts enter the hardened cartilage, forming layers of hard, firm bone. Other cells, called osteoclasts, work to tear down old or excess bone structure, allowing the osteoblasts to rebuild with new bone. This renewal continues throughout life, although it slows down with age. Cartilage formation and the subsequent replacement of cartilage by hard material is the mechanism by which bones grow in size. During the period of bone growth, cartilage grows over the hardened portion of bone. In time, this layer of cartilage hardens as calcium phosphate is added, and a fresh layer grows over it, and it too hardens. The process continues until the body reaches full growth.

Long bones grow in length because of special cross-sectional layers of cartilage located near the flared ends of the bone. These harden and new cartilage is produced by the same process as previously described. Bone Disorders. fracture , a break in the bone, is the most common injury to the bone; it may be closed, with no break in the skin, or open, with penetration of the skin and exposure of portions of the broken bone. osteoporosis is excessive brittleness and porosity of bone in the aged. osteomyelitis is a bone infection similar to a boil on the skin, but much more serious because blood supply to bone is less exquisite than that to other body organs and bone metabolizes more slowly, so that the infection can destroy the bone and invade other body tissues. osteomalacia is the term used for rickets when it occurs in adults. In these diseases there is softening of the bones, due to inadequate concentration of calcium or phosphorus in the body. The usual cause is deficiency of vitamin D, which is required for utilization of calcium and phosphorus by the body. In osteitis fibrosa cystica , bone is replaced by fibrous tissue because of abnormal calcium metabolism.

The condition usually is due to overactivity of the parathyroid glands. osteoma refers to abnormal new growth, either benign or malignant, of the tissue of the bones. Although it is not common, it may occur in any of the bones of the body, and at any age. alveolar bone the thin layer of bone making up the bony processes of the maxilla and mandible, surrounding and containing the teeth; it is pierced by many small blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves. Tibia Home > Skeletal System > Bones of the Leg and Foot > Tibia Tibia The tibia, sometimes known as the shin bone, is the larger and stronger of the two lower leg bones. It forms the knee joint with the femur and the ankle joint with the fibula and tarsus. Many powerful muscles that move the foot and lower leg are anchored to the tibia. The support and movement of the tibia is essential to many activities performed by the legs, including standing, walking, running, jumping and supporting the body’s weight. The tibia is located in the lower leg medial to the fibula, distal to the femur and proximal to the talus of the foot.

It is widest at its proximal end near the femur, where it forms the distal end of the knee joint before tapering along its length to a much narrower bone at the ankle joint.... Move up/down/left/right: Click compass arrows Rotate image: Click and drag in any direction, anywhere in the frame Identify objects: Click on them in the image 2D Interactive 3D Rotate & Zoom Change Anatomical System Change View Angle Full Tibia Description [Continued from above] . . . The proximal end is roughly flat with the smooth, concave medial and lateral condyles forming the knee joint with the femur. Between the condyles is the intercondylar region, which includes the tibial spine and provides attachment points for the meniscus and anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) of the knee. At the inferior edge of the lateral condyle is a small facet where the tibia forms the proximal tibiofibular joint with the fibula. This joint is a planar joint, allowing the tibia and fibula to slightly glide past each other and adjust the position of the lower leg.

Just below the condyles on the anterior surface is the tibial tuberosity, a major bony ridge that provides an attachment point for the patella through the patellar ligament. Extension of the lower leg involves the contraction of the rectus femoris muscle to pull on the patella, which in turn pulls on the tibial tuberosity. A thin, bony ridge known as the anterior crest continues distally from the tibial tuberosity, giving the shaft of the tibia a triangular cross section. The tibial tuberosity and anterior crest are clearly identifiable landmarks of the shin as they can be easily palpated through the skin. Approaching the ankle joint, the tibia widens slightly in both the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior planes. On the medial side, the tibia forms a rounded bony prominence known as the medial malleolus. The medial malleolus forms the medial side of the ankle joint with the talus of the foot; it can be easily located by palpation of the skin in this region. On the lateral side of the tibia is a small recess known as the fibular notch, which forms the distal tibiofibular joint with the fibula.

The tibia is classified as a long bone due to its long, narrow shape. Long bones are hollow in the middle, with regions of spongy bone filling each end and solid compact bone covering their entire structure. Spongy bone is made of tiny columns known as trabeculae that reinforce the ends of the bone against external stresses. Red bone marrow, which produces blood cells, is found in the holes in the spongy bone between the trabeculae. The hollow middle of the bone, known as the medullary cavity, is filled with fat-rich yellow bone marrow that stores energy for the body. Surrounding the medullary cavity and spongy bone is a thick layer of compact bone that gives the bone most of its strength and mass. Compact bone is made of cells surrounded by a matrix of hard calcium mineral and collagen protein that is both extremely strong and flexible to resist stress. Surrounding the compact bone is a thin, fibrous layer known as the periosteum. Periosteum is made of a dense, fibrous connective tissue, which is continuous with the ligaments that connect the tibia to the surrounding bones and the tendons that connect the muscles to the tibia.

These connections prevent the separation of the muscles and bones from each other. Finally, a thin layer of hyaline cartilage covers the ends of the tibia where it forms the knee and ankle joints. Hyaline is extremely smooth and slightly flexible, providing a smooth surface for the joint to slide across and a shock absorber to resist impacts. At birth, the tibia consists of two bones: a central shaft known as the diaphysis, and a thin cap just below the knee known as the proximal epiphysis. A thin layer of hyaline cartilage separates these two bones and allows them to move slightly relative to each other. The distal end of the tibia at the ankle is made of hyaline cartilage at birth, but begins to ossify around age 2 to form the distal epiphysis. Throughout childhood the diaphysis and the two epiphyses remain separated by a thin layer of hyaline cartilage known as the epiphyseal plate or the growth plate. Cartilage in the epiphyseal plate grows throughout childhood and adolescence and is slowly replaced by bone. The net result of this growth is the lengthening of the tibia.

At the end of adolescence, the diaphysis and epiphyses grow into the last of the cartilage and fuse to form a single tibia. The region where the diaphysis and epiphyses fuse is known as the metaphysis. Prepared by Tim Taylor, Anatomy and Physiology Instructor Anatomy of the Lower Leg Muscles Anatomy of the Lower Leg Muscles Search the site Anatomy of the Lower Leg Muscles The Makeup of the Lower Leg By Elizabeth Quinn Updated June 29, 2016 The lower leg lies between the knee and the ankle. There are many muscles located in the lower leg, but there are three that are particularly well known: the gastrocnemius and the soleus, which are the most powerful muscles in the lower leg, and the anterior tibialis . The Achilles tendon is also located in the lower leg. Bone Structure of the Lower Leg The lower leg is made up of two very strong, long bones: the tibia and the fibula. The tibia, also known as the shin bone, is the stronger and larger of the two. It is located toward the middle of the lower leg. The fibula, or calf bone, is smaller and is located on the outside of the lower leg.

The lower leg is also home to nerve fibers, including the superficial fibular nerve, the deep fibular nerve, and the tibial nerve. The primary muscle in this part of the body is the gastrocnemius, which gives the calf its signature bulging, muscular appearance. The anterior tibial, posterior tibial and fibular arteries are responsible for blood supply to the lower leg. The lower leg makes up a large portion of an individual's overall bodyweight. It is an essential structure for any weight-bearing activity, such as walking, stand, running or jumping. Common conditions that affect the lower leg include stress fractures, compartment syndrome, shin splints and muscle tears. The Muscles of the Lower Leg The lower leg is divided into four compartments that contain the various muscles of the lower leg: anterior, lateral, posterior and deep posterior. The anterior compartment, in the front of the shin, holds the tibialis anterior, the extensor digitorum longus, the extensor hallucis longus and the peroneus tertius muscles. These muscles pull the toes and feet upward, a process known as dorsiflexion. The tibialis anterior also assists in turning the foot inward.

You can feel these muscles contract by placing your hand just to the outside of the tibia and pulling your foot up. The lateral compartment is along the outside of the lower leg. It contains the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles. These muscles pull the toes and feet outward. They also help with pointing the foot, or plantarflexion. To feel these muscles contract, place your hand on the outside of your shin and turn your foot out. The posterior compartment holds the large muscles that we know as the calf muscles: the gastrocnemius and soleus. This compartment also contains plantaris muscle. The gastrocnemius is shorter, thicker and has two inner and outer attachments. It is the most visible of the calf muscles. The soleus lies underneath. These three muscles attach to the Achilles tendon, and they all aid with plantarflexion. The deep posterior compartment lies deep within the back of the lower leg. It includes the tibialis posterior, the flexor digitorum longus and the flexor hallucus longus. The tibialis posterior pulls the foot inward, the flexor digitorum longus flexes the toes the and flexor hallucus longus flexes the big toe.

All three aid in plantarflexion. Sources: University of Connecticut Health Center. Lower Leg Injuries and Conditions. (n.d.). Retrieved April 03, 2016, from Continue Reading Ankle (Human Anatomy): Image, Function, Conditions, & More Human Anatomy The ankle is a large joint made up of three bones: The shin bone (tibia) The thinner bone running next to the shin bone (fibula) A foot bone that sits above the heel bone (talus) The bony bumps (or protrusions) seen and felt on the ankle have their own names: The medial malleolus, felt on the inside of your ankle is part of the tibia's base The posterior malleolus, felt on the back of your ankle is also part of the tibia's base The lateral malleolus, felt on the outside of your ankle is the low end of the fibula The ankle joint allows up-and-down movement of the foot. The subtalar joint sits below the ankle joint, and allows side-to-side motion of the foot.

Numerous ligaments (made of tough, moveable tissue) surround the true ankle and subtalar joints, binding the bones of the leg to each other and to those of the foot. Ankle Conditions Sprained ankle : Damage to one of the ligaments in the ankle, usually from an accidental twist or turn of the foot. Rehabilitation can prevent pain and swelling from becoming a long-term problem. High ankle sprain : The ligament joining the two bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula), called the syndesmotic ligament, is injured. A high ankle sprain causes pain and swelling similar to a true ankle sprain, but can take longer to heal. Ankle fracture : A break in any of the three bones in the ankle. Most commonly, the bones of the lower leg (tibia or fibula) is fractured. Ankle arthritis : While it’s not common, osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, can affect the ankle. Rheumatoid arthritis : An autoimmune form of arthritis in which the body attacks joint tissue, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. Any joint may be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, including the ankle.

Gout : A form of arthritis in which crystals periodically deposit in joints, causing severe pain and swelling. The ankle may sometimes be affected by gout. Psoriatic arthritis : This form of arthritis, which causes swelling and pain, is associated with the skin condition psoriasis. Many joints, including the ankle, may be affected by psoriasis. Septic arthritis : Caused by bacterial infections that may occur in the ankle, this form of arthritis develops quickly, causing severe pain, swelling, fever, and difficulty moving the ankle. Continued Ankle Tests Physical examination : A health-care provider's examination of the ankle may identify whether an ankle fracture, sprain, or another condition is present. Ankle X-ray : An X-ray film of the ankle is most commonly used to determine a fracture, arthritis, or other problems. Stress X-ray : A doctor puts pressure on an injured ankle and takes an X-ray film. Also called a stress film or a stress test, this may uncover ankle problems unseen on regular X-rays. Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI scan ): An MRI scanner uses a high-powered magnet and a computer to create high-resolution images of the ankle.

Ankle Treatments RICE therapy : RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression (as with an athletic bandage), and Elevation. RICE therapy is good initial treatment for most ankle injuries. Pain medicines : Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) can ease most ankle pain. Cortisone injections: Injecting cortisone into the ankle can help with some forms of ankle arthritis. Cortisone suppresses inflammation in the ankle joint, reducing swelling and pain. Ankle immobilization : Immobilizing the ankle (usually with a cast) is necessary for most ankle fractures. Some health-care providers believe immobilization may help ankle sprains as well. Ankle surgery: Surgery may be required for many serious ankle conditions. In general, ankle surgery is performed in order to make the ankle more stable. Various techniques are used to keep the ankle bones in place. Syndesmotic screw: A surgeon places a screw connecting the bones of the lower leg. This keeps the bones together, giving a high ankle sprain time to heal. Once healed, the screw is removed.

Ankle arthroscopic surgery: Ankle surgery using tools inserted through small incisions in the ankle. One of the tools, an endoscope, allows a surgeon to view the inside of the ankle joint on a video screen. Ankle fusion surgery : Surgery to fuse the bones of the ankle together, limiting movement in the ankle. Ankle fusion surgery can relieve the pain of severe ankle arthritis Ankle replacement surgery : Although some surgeons perform ankle replacement surgery, the results are generally poor, compared to knee replacement surgery. Watch the video. WebMD Image Collection Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on November 15, 2014 Sources Shin Splints: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments Shin Splints Key Points You should see your doctor if you have a shin that feels hot or if pain occurs even while you’re resting, as you may have shin splints. People at higher risk for shin splints include women, people with flat feet or rigid arches, athletes, military recruits, and dancers. Stop-start sports such as tennis, racquetball, soccer, or basketball are more likely to cause shin splints. The term “shin splints” describes pain felt along the inner edge of your shin bone.

Shin splint pain concentrates in the lower leg between the knee and ankle. Your doctor may refer to the condition as medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Shin splints frequently affect people who engage in moderate to heavy physical activity. You may be more likely to develop shin splints if you participate in strenuous physical activities or stop-start sports such as tennis, racquetball, soccer, or basketball. Sometimes the pain of shin splints can be so intense that you must stop the activity. Shin splints is a cumulative stress disorder. Repeated pounding and stress on the bones, muscles, and joints of the lower legs prevent your body from being able to naturally repair and restore itself. What Causes Shin Splints? The pain associated with shin splints results from excessive amounts of force on the shin bone and the tissues attaching the shin bone to the muscles surrounding it. The excessive force causes the muscles to swell and increases the pressure against the bone, leading to pain and inflammation. Shin splints can also result from stress reactions to bone fractures. The constant pounding can cause minute cracks in the bones of the leg. The body can repair the cracks if given time to rest.

However, if the body doesn’t get time to rest, the tiny cracks can result in a complete fracture or a stress fracture. Additional causes of shin splints include: an anatomical abnormality (such as flat foot syndrome) muscle weakness in the thighs or buttocks lack of flexibility pain along the inner part of the lower leg tenderness or soreness along the inner part of the lower leg swelling in the lower leg (usually mild, if present) numbness and weakness in the feet See your doctor if your shin splints don’t respond to common treatment methods or if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms: severe pain in your shin after a fall or accident a shin that feels hot a shin that’s visibly inflamed swelling in your shin area that gets worse pain in your shins even when you’re resting How Are Shin Splints Diagnosed? Your doctor will usually be able to diagnose shin splints during a physical exam. They’ll ask you about the types of physical activities you participate in and how often you pursue them. Doctors may prescribe diagnostic tests such as imaging scans and X-rays if they suspect that you might be suffering from bone fractures or a condition other than shin splints.

Treating Shin Splints Shin splints normally require that you take a break from certain physical activities and give your legs time to rest. The discomfort will usually resolve completely in a few hours or at most in a few days with rest and limited activity. The suggested amount of downtime is typically about two weeks. During this time, you can engage in sports or activities that are less likely to cause additional harm to your legs. These activities include swimming or walking. Your doctor will often suggest that you do the following: keep your legs elevated use ice packs to reduce swelling take an over-the-counter pain medication wear elastic compression bandages Check with your doctor before restarting any activities. It’s important to differentiate this condition from more serious conditions affecting the lower leg, such as compartment syndrome or fractures. Warming up before exercise is also a good way to make sure your legs aren’t sore. Shin splints rarely require surgery. Compartment syndrome is a painful condition in which excessive pressure builds within a muscle compartment. If compartment syndrome happens and the pain is severe, surgery to open the fascia (the thick tissue that surrounds muscle groups) may be necessary. If a muscle tears away from your shin bone, surgery will be necessary to reattach the muscle.

Can Shin Splints Be Avoided? Steps you can take to avoid getting shin splints include: wearing shoes that fit well and offer good support using shock-absorbing insoles avoiding exercise on hard or slanted surfaces or uneven terrain increasing exercise intensity gradually Anatomical Terms of Movement - Flexion - Rotation - TeachMeAnatomy Anatomical Terms of Movement Last Updated: December 21, 2016 Revisions: 17 8 Circumduction Anatomical terms of movement are used to describe the actions of muscles on the skeleton. Muscles contract to produce movement at joints, and the subsequent movements can be precisely described using the terminology below. As for anatomical terms of location, the terms used assume that the body starts in the anatomical position. Most movements have an opposite movement, otherwise known as an antagonistic movement. The terms are described here in antagonistic pairs for ease of understanding. By Connexions ( [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Fig 1.0 – Flexion and extension. Flexion and Extension Flexion and extension are movements that occur in the sagittal plane.

They refer to increasing and decreasing the angle between two body parts: Flexion refers to a movement that decreases the angle between two body parts. Flexion at the elbow is decreasing the angle between the ulna and the humerus. When the knee flexes, the ankle moves closer to the buttock, and the angle between the femur and tibia gets smaller. Extension refers to a movement that increases the angle between two body parts. Extension at the elbow is increasing the angle between the ulna and the humerus. Extension of the knee straightens the lower limb. Abduction and Adduction Abduction and adduction are two terms that are used to describe movements towards or away from the midline of the body. Abduction is a movement away from the midline – just as abducting someone is to take them away. For example, abduction of the shoulder raises the arms out to the sides of the body. Adduction is a movement towards the midline. Adduction of the hip squeezes the legs together. In fingers and toes, the midline used is not the midline of the body, but of the hand and foot respectively. Therefore, abducting the fingers spreads them out.

Medial and Lateral Rotation Medial and lateral rotation describe movement of the limbs around their long axis: Medial rotation is a rotational movement towards the midline. It is sometimes referred to as internal rotation. To understand this, we have two scenarios to imagine. Firstly, with a straight leg, rotate it to point the toes inward. This is medial rotation of the hip. Secondly, imagine you are carrying a tea tray in front of you, with elbow at 90 degrees. Now rotate the arm, bringing your hand towards your opposite hip (elbow still at 90 degrees). This is internal rotation of the shoulder. Lateral rotation is a rotating movement away from the midline. This is in the opposite direction to the movements described above. By Connexions ( [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Fig 1.1 – Adduction, abduction and rotation. Elevation and Depression Elevation refers to movement in a superior direction (e.g. shoulder shrug), depression refers to movement in an inferior direction. Pronation and Supination This is easily confused with medial and lateral rotation, but the difference is subtle.

With your hand resting on a table in front of you, and keeping your shoulder and elbow still, turn your hand into its back, palm up. This is the supine position, and so this movement is supination. Again, keeping the elbow and shoulder still, flip your hand into its front, palm down. This is the prone position, and so this movement is named pronation. These terms also apply to the whole body – when lying flat on the back, the body is supine. When lying flat on the front, the body is prone. By Connexions ( [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons Fig 1.2 – Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion are terms used to describe movements at the ankle. They refer to the two surfaces of the foot; the dorsum (superior surface) and the plantar surface (the sole). Dorsiflexion refers to flexion at the ankle, so that the foot points more superiorly. Dorsiflexion of the hand is a confusing term, and so is rarely used.

The dorsum of the hand is the posterior surface, and so movement in that direction is extension. Therefore we can say that dorsiflexion of the wrist is the same as extension. Plantarflexion refers extension at the ankle, so that the foot points inferiorly. Similarly there is a term for the hand, which is palmarflexion. Opposition and Reposition A pair of movements that are limited to humans and some great apes, these terms apply to the additional movements that the hand and thumb can perform in these species. Opposition brings the thumb and little finger together. Reposition is a movement that moves the thumb and the little finger away from each other, effectively reversing opposition. Circumduction Circumduction can be defined as a conical movement of a limb extending from the joint at which the movement is controlled. It is sometimes talked about as a circular motion, but is more accurately conical due to the ‘cone’ formed by the moving limb.

Question: What is the anatomical name for the shin bone?
Answer: Tibia